Perspective on the AARP

It’s my 63^rd birthday, and I want to tell you how embarrassed I am when I see that television ad with the threatening-looking senior citizen warning politicians to keep their hands off Social Security.  There are lots of seniors out there, and most of us vote!

Aren’t these the same seniors who want only the best for their grandchildren?  Aren’t these the same seniors who want the Congress to move forward and compromise for the good of the country?  But ask them to even consider compromising Social Security or Medicare for the good of the country and you will have a fight on your hands.  Their answer suddenly becomes the equivalent of:  “Don’t touch our benefits, even if it means saddling our grandchildren with the accumulated debt.”  (Of course, some of the well-to-do seniors intend to protect their grandchildren’s inheritance by having a lawyer set up a scheme to shield their wealth, requiring the government to pay their final expenses.  Another good deal for your average taxpayer!)

I resigned my AARP membership many years ago, but they continue to embarrass me with their lack of perspective and magic-money-tree concept of government spending.  Actions have consequences, and just because you won’t be around to suffer those consequences is no excuse to be selfish and belligerent today.